Even as police seize millions worth of illegal drugs in Iloilo City, Mayor Raisa Treñas insists the city is not facing a drug crisis.
Treñas explained that big busts are nothing new, pointing out that years of consistent operations have kept the flow of illegal substances in check.
“It’s not alarming. We’ve been recovering millions from buy-busts all along,” she said, adding that the hefty value of seized drugs is often misleading.
Much of the narcotics passing through the city, according to Treñas, are just in transit, which inflates the numbers without necessarily indicating a local epidemic.
Interestingly, the mayor noted, arrests of local pushers have inadvertently created a small-scale monopoly.
“Those caught are usually minor operators. The big shipments just pass through,” Treñas said.
She reminded residents that tackling illegal drugs is a global challenge. Even countries like the United States, with far more resources, continue to struggle with the problem.
With law enforcement maintaining steady operations, the city aims to keep the drug trade contained while reinforcing public safety—proving that in Iloilo, vigilance continues even when the numbers look dramatic.
This framing turns what could read as a worrying statistic into a story of control, perspective, and steady governance.IMT
